Ball marker used to ascertain grain direction of a putting surface

ABSTRACT

A golf ball marker and method of use on a putting surface to ascertain a grain direction of the putting surface. The marker is a compass configured and sized to be used as a ball marker. The compass includes an underlying substrate and indicia to indicate direction relative to compass north as indicated by said compass and may optionally also include an anchoring appendage underlying the substrate.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a compass ball marker used to ascertain a grain direction of a putting surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many golfers have difficulty reading the greens at a new golf course, especially one where the golfer expects to play regularly. The inventor herein found that when he was part of a team with players who knew the greens, they would help him with particular characteristics of the greens. In a format when it was individual scores similar to stroke play at a Professional Golfers Association (PGA) tournament, he could not ask for advice as per the U.S. Golfers Association (USGA) rules. Due to prior information from the club professional and experimentation on some of the putting surfaces, it was determined the prevailing grain of the grass leaned toward a specific direction, for example, westerly. It was also apparent in the middle of the round of golf when there were no reference points in sight, it was difficult to determine what direction was westerly. It was clear to the inventor herein that what was needed was a device, like a compass, to help him ascertain the direction of the prevailing wind, which is the direction that the grain of the putting grass leans.

An object therefore of the present invention was to develop a convenient and compact compass device. However, a compass by itself would require carrying an additional device. Golfers already carry tees, ball markers, extra balls, a glove and sometimes a towel. An object was to therefore find a device that incorporates a compass into a device already used by the golfer when approaching a putting surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Golfers all use a device as a ball marker so the ball may be picked up, cleaned and replaced in the original spot marked by the ball marker. Ball markers are small devices, such as a coin, or a disc, or a disc with a depending appendage to anchor the marker to the surface of the green. The present invention integrates or incorporates a compass as an overlying component to a planar substrate that can be used as a ball marker to form a compass ball marker. This device should be made with a small elevation profile. When a golfer places the marker down, he can get an immediate input of the North direction and accordingly which direction is east, west, south, southeast, southwest, northeast, northwest, etc. Given prior knowledge of the prevailing wind direction and therefore the direction of putting green surface grass growth, the golfer can then immediate ascertain the direction the grain of the grass is leaning and account for this factor when determining proper aim and impact force of the putt.

That is, at a glance by using the compass ball marker, the golfer is able to adjust his aim taking into consideration the prevailing grain of the grass knowing which direction was say westerly. The inventor herein found immediate results when using this compass ball marker, especially on the putts whereby using the grain of the grass the ball would roll further in a certain direction because the grass tended to lay flatter in that direction. Knowing that the golfer is putting in the direction of the grain of the grass, he would not have to hit the ball as hard as he would have if he did not have this prior information. When putting against the grain of the grass where the tips of the grass would affect the roll of the ball impeding the distance the ball would travel, the golfer would have to adjust the impact with slightly more force applied, that is, knowing he is putting into the grain, hethen would putt the ball harder than if he did not know the direction which the grass was growing.

The compass ball marker helps the golfer become more confident in reading the greens, enabling him to consistently reduce scores by 2 to 3 strokes per game. For people with a higher handicap that tend to 3 putt on a green, the stroke savings could be more than 2 to 3 stokes per match.

For golfers who play for money in matches, the invention will enhance their ability to win close matches.

Most golfers will look closely at the greens and fringe grasses. They then try to determine how the grain will affect the roll of the ball. Good golfers through experience and talent usually rely on close observation of the grain of the grass. Some golfers rely on watching how the away player's ball moves when it is on the green. Using the ball marker with compass can quickly give them a bench mark to start from when armed with the knowledge of direction of grass growth.

The invention is a ball marker with a compass as its face. It would also be constructed with a magnified lens for golfers with a slight visual handicap. Some people with a visual handicap can't see the grain so the compass with magnifying means would be an asset.

By knowing the direction of the grain on the putting surface using the prevailing grain direction from a Club Professional, this information can be used to help determine the break of the putt and the speed by utilizing the ball marker with an integral compass. Down grain, into the grain or cross grain all helps to determine the break and speed of the green. For example, on the Gulf Coast of Florida, the grain in the Bermuda grass tends to grow westerly almost everywhere on the course. In Albany, N.Y., the bent grass tends to grow easterly. By watching the morning weather report, you can learn the wind direction and wind speed.

A quick glance at your compass ball marker will help you make the appropriate adjustments. Therefore, this device can be your guide, no matter what course you are playing, especially the desert courses where there are no tree references. It also can be manufactured with a magnifying glass for the slightly visually impaired.

All golfers know that the direction of the grain can dramatically affect the role of the golf ball. Knowing the prevailing direction of the grain on the putting surfaces can cut one, two or three strokes or more off your game. A golfer cannot have too much information and as we all known making a six foot putt counts the same as a three hundred yard drive!

Using the compass ball marker will quickly give the golfer a bench mark to start from when determining the direction of the grain of the grass. After determination of direction, then the slope of the green and distance will have to be taken into consideration to determine how hard to hit the ball when executing a putt.

A secondary advantage to the compass ball marker is reading the wind direction. In the morning you can find out which way and how fast the wind is blowing by watching the morning weather report. You can then adjust your drive or any other shot using the compass. For example if the wind is blowing west to east and you are teeing off north you can adjust your stance and direction to hit towards the west so when the wind carries the ball east it will land you more center in the fairway as opposed to pushing it farther east and putting you in the rough.

Of course, the invention also works as the actual ball marker instead of using a quarter or other marking item.

The best way to use the invention is when there is a prevailing wind from a known direction during tee off and once you are on the green or the fringe to determine the grain direction before your next golf stroke.

On the PGA tour, there is a local rule that a ball marker or coin will be used to mark the ball, but the USGA rules state that any small object can be used. With today's technologies, a very low profile compass ball marker could be manufactured and would fit the guidelines of being a small object.

A stemp meter is a device which is used to determine the distance a ball will travel on a green from a constant elevation and distance. Then the distance the ball travels is measured to determine the slope rating of the green. The longer the distance the ball rolls, the faster the green and the higher the slope rating. The PGA tour players usually play on greens of 10 or higher slope ratings. To test the inventor's herein theory, he used a similar device to get a consistent roll on the ball hence taking out the variables of simply using a putter. The results confirmed his theories as to the benefits of the compass ball marker. Almost all golf courses have a prevailing grain of grass. The compass ball marker can reduce the time needed to determine grain of the grass, thereby helping golfers to make decisions on how to play various courses. Almost all professional golfers agree there is a prevailing grain at the golf courses they play. This information is easily obtained from the golf club professional. With the information the compass ball marker can be of assistance in helping the golfer to make decisions on how to play the golf course.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of embodiment of the inventive ball marker;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the invention in use on a putting surface with the green's grass shown in exaggerated length and tilted in a westerly direction; and

FIG. 3 is a side view of the view of FIG. 2, further depicting a depending appendage for anchoring the ball barker in the putting surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1-3 disclose the present invention, which is a compass ball marker, depicted generally as 10.

The present invention is accordingly a golf ball marker 10 for use on a putting surface 14 (hereinafter also referred to a sputting surface grass or putting surface green) to ascertain a grain direction 16 of the putting surface 14 comprising a compass 12 a configured and sized to be used as a ball marker 10. The compass 12 a includes an underlying substrate 12 b and indicia 12 c to indicate direction relative to compass north as indicated by said compass 12 a.

As with many golf ball markers, the invention 10 can optionally include an appendage 12 d depending from the substrate 12 b. The appendage 12 d is used to anchor the golf ball marker 10 into the putting surface 14.

The present invention further includes a method for ascertaining a grain direction 16 of a grass on a putting surface 14 comprising the steps of:

pre-determining the prevailing grain direction 16 of putting surface grass 14 for a golf course to be played;

when preparing for a putt on each putting surface green 14 of the golf course, using a golf ball marker 10 comprising a compass 12 a configured and sized to be used as the ball marker, the compass 12 a including an underlying substrate 12 b and indicia 12 c to indicate direction relative to compass north as indicated by the compass 12 a, and ascertaining the direction of the grain corresponding to the pre-determined grain direction 16 previously obtained; and

accounting for the ascertained grain direction 16 in the eventual putt to be made.

As noted above, the pre-determined prevailing grain direction 16 for the course in general can be obtained from a local course golf professional or maintenance personnel.

As shown in FIG. 2, the grain direction is leaning toward the west. Assuming the golfer has been advised that the prevailing wind and grain direction is westerly, the golfer can now use this knowledge and assess the westerly direction by using the compass. He can then make proper adjustments in putting direction and speed when putting the golf ball.

It should be understood that the preceding is merely a detailed description of one or more embodiments of this invention and that numerous changes to the disclosed embodiments can be made in accordance with the disclosure herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The preceding description, therefore, is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be determined only by the appended claims and their equivalents. 

1. A golf ball marker for use on a putting surface to ascertain a grain direction of the putting surface comprising: a compass configured and sized to be used as a ball marker, said compass including an underlying substrate and indicia to indicate direction relative to compass north as indicated by said compass.
 2. The golf ball marker according to claim 1, further comprising: an appendage depending from said substrate wherein said appendage is used to anchor the golf ball marker into the putting surface.
 3. A method for ascertaining a grain direction of a grass on a putting surface comprising the steps of: pre-determining the prevailing grain direction of putting surface grass for a golf course to be played; when preparing for a putt on each putting surface green of the golf course, using a golf ball marker comprising a compass configured and sized to be used as said ball marker, said compass including an underlying substrate and indicia to indicate direction relative to compass north as indicated by said compass, and ascertaining the direction of the grain corresponding to the pre-determined grain direction previously obtained; and accounting for the ascertained grain direction in the eventual putt to be made.
 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the golf ball marker further comprises: an appendage depending from said substrate wherein said appendage is used to anchor the golf ball marker into the putting surface. 